On this episode: How we can create connection with our kids How we can connect with them instead of punishing them. How she connects with her daughters for 20 minutes per day and what that looks like. When the rules are broken and we don't want to break the connection, what can we do about it? About Michelle Kenney Before becoming a  hand in hand certified instructor in 2015, she worked for 12 years in the public school system, she was a teacher and a counselor. Regardless of her experience, that didn’t prepare her for motherhood.  After years of consequences, bribes, star charts, she found Hand In Hand Parenting created by Patty Wilpfeiffer and it re-shaped the relationship with her daughters. She is now passionate about helping others find their way about the murky business of being a connected parent. She loves leading groups and finds it dynamic and transformative for both her and the groups that she leads. She also strongly believes that listening partnerships are the cornerstone to moving through difficulties. She holds a master's degree in education and even speaks fluent Spanish.  Show Notes: www.thedadedge.com/friday89

Michelle Kenney, a former teacher turned mom, shares her journey from using punishments to gentle parenting. They discuss the impact of punishments on their children's behavior and how it created a rift in their relationship. The podcast explores the transformative power of empathetic listening and the importance of allowing children to have their feelings. The hosts express gratitude for the alternative parenting approach and emphasize the value of authenticity.